We previously enjoyed The Play That Goes Wrong, which was the first show composed by the Mischief Theatre company, and prior to that their festive show Peter Pan Goes Wrong - which was our first experience of this 'style' of comedy, and one that had us 'shoulder-shaking' in our seats from beginning to end. So, we had high expectations of The Comedy About A Bank Robbery … There is certainly nothing else quite like Mischief Theatre’s productions in the West End at the moment, so it’s no surprise that The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is now enjoying its 3rd year at the Criterion theatre in the heart of Piccadilly Circus.

The show is superbly written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, and I can honestly say that it probably rates as THE funniest show I have ever seen, although I should perhaps qualify this in saying that my experience of Theatre comedy is not vast. If you have seen any of Mischief Theatre's other shows, then by comparison this one is slightly less frantic and chaotic, with the script delivering more jokes and clever word-play, and less reliance on the farcical elements and deliberate mistakes of the other shows. If you have never seen a Mischief production, you will however, be left wondering how a production could be any more farcical and will marvel at the amazing physical comedy the actors produce, and the impeccable timing it depends upon.

Set in the summer of 1958, at Minneapolis City Bank, mad manager Robin Freeboys (Leonard Cook) has been entrusted with a priceless diamond owned by a Hungarian Prince. An escaped convict, Mitch (Matt Hunt) is dead set on pocketing the gem with the help of his screwball sidekick Cooper along with his trickster girlfriend Caprice (Holly Sumpton), who happens to also be the daughter of Freeboys. Gold-digger Caprice, not expecting her boyfriend out of prison, hooks up with pick-pocket Sam (Sam Fogell) who she believes to be a lawyer, Rabbi, and Doctor … and during the show he masquerades as her father and the maintenance man! (Have I lost you yet?!) Sam also happens to be the son of the bank’s teller Ruth (Jenna Augen), who, complete with her 1950’s 'set' hair, is a memorable character, stealing a lot of laughs throughout the show. With numerous mistaken identities, love triangles and hidden agendas, even the most reputable can't be trusted, and the farcical plot unfolds.

The physical comedy alone would be enough to make even the grumpiest laugh out loud, and along with the script that is peppered with a variety of visual and verbal jokes and clever word-play and innuendo, I can guarantee you are in for a proper belly-shaking experience. Superbly directed by Mark Bell, he must be praised for managing to make some sort of order out of all this chaos! You are left wondering what on earth is going to happen next and what possible fate is waiting for each of the characters, that you have come to know and love so well in such as short space of time! You may find you need the respite of the interval to compose yourself, and take a break from laughing - I know I did!

The actors and actresses are all to be applauded for working so beautifully as a group. In each of their individual roles they are equally over-the-top and ingenious at getting themselves in and out of difficult positions. Much of the action is physically demanding, and left us gasping. This only adds further to the audience's entertainment and amusement. Their energy is seemingly boundless! On the evening we visited, my friends laughed heartily throughout the entire production, as did the audience around us, creating an atmosphere that is truly contagious and leaving you feeling completely uplifted by the end.

Credit also has to go the set designer, David Farley, who has created a visually simple but technically complex set. One of the scenes set at 90 degrees against the wall is exceptionally clever and provides great comedy. Whilst, the actual diamond robbery scene is superbly choreographed, the set itself enables this very effectively, as it does throughout the entire play.

In a town where everyone's a crook, who will end up bagging the jewel? Let’s not spoil the surprise!

It’s not hard to see why The Comedy About A Bank Robbery has been winning awards and 5-star reviews; The Telegraph review stated ‘This is the funniest show in town” and I would whole heartedly agree. With plenty of celebrity endorsements, and five stars on TripAdvisor we anticipate that this show will run for a very long time. It is also great to see a company of young actors, who have gone from the tiny Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington to UK tours and becoming established players in the West End, succeed so dazzlingly without the need for any ‘celebrities’ to sell the show.

Booking is now taking place up to April 2019 in London, and the show will be touring the UK from August 2018 – so there’s no excuse not to see it!

To book (tickets from £10.00) call 0844 815 6131 or visit www.thecomedyaboutabankrobbery.com. This is a great show for the whole family, but note that the recommended age is 11+.